A BID to locate Great British Railways headquarters to Bolton could be a nod to Horwich’s rich rail history.

Great British Railways, the new public body that will absorb National Rail to run and plan the rail network, are currently without a home and are therefore running a competition whereby local authorities can make their case for welcoming them.

An expression of interest must be submitted by March 16, then a shortlist will be announced in May and a final announcement will be made by the Transport Secretary in the summer after visits to the shortlisted sites.

A bid will be made by Bolton Council after a consultation process which will assess sites throughout the borough based on their suitability against the criteria set by the government.

The competition will seek to recognise places with a rich railway heritage, strong links to the national network and public support for the selected location.

Cllr Steven Chadwick is a big advocate for the bid and brought it up in the most recent Horwich town council meeting, suggesting that they write a letter of support to Bolton Council and a recommendation that Horwich be considered.

Cllr Chadwick said: “If Bolton bids for Horwich, Horwich Town Council fully supports it.

“It seems obvious to me that your strongest hand is a place that was the centre for locomotive engineering and has developed some of the most pre-eminent railway individuals of the last century.”

Horwich played a huge part in the implementation of the existing railway network. The Bolton to Leigh line was the first in Lancashire and production at Horwich Loco Works dates back to 1886, which at one stage employed more than 5,000 people.

What is more, it has just been approved that the Chequerbent embankment that runs along that stretch of railway has, after an application by Hulton Councillor Derek Bullock, been awarded Scheduled Monument Status – the highest protection that can be awarded.

Built in 1828, the 200m embankment is attributed to George Stephenson and is thought to be unique.

If successful, not only will the headquarters be a nod to the town’s heritage, but it will also be a welcome source of employment in the area.

Bolton West MP, Chris Green, said: “With Horwich’s heritage, especially the manufacturing at the loco works, we have the ideal location to bring new jobs to the area, create a host of other opportunities and be in the spirit of our local railway history.”

Leader of Bolton Council, Martyn Cox, said: “We’re making a bid. The process is in place.

“It’s a bit more complicated than many people think, but certainly the heritage of Horwich will be a factor.

“It’s got to be a site that best fits the specification that they set. I don’t know where that will be. It might be Horwich or another town centre but whether it’s in Horwich or Bromley Cross, it’ll be Bolton people working there.”